Suwada Al-Mudhafara, a former Japanese woman who has acquired Omani citizenship, appeared on Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room" (TV Asahi), which aired on August 21st. Suwada, who was selected as one of Newsweek magazine's "100 Most Respected Japanese People in the World" in 2006, spoke about her dramatic life.
It was Suwarda's dream to appear on "Tetsuko's Room." She said, "I've been reading Tetsuko's book 'Totto-chan at the Window' since it was published. I also hated school, so I really related to her. I've always wanted to meet her someday."
Suwarda was born and raised in Tokyo. After graduating from high school, she worked at a Japanese bank, married a Japanese man, and gave birth to a daughter. In 1979, she visited Oman as part of a cultural mission. She later returned after being invited by a local woman who asked her to "teach her the Japanese spirit," and began traveling back and forth between Japan and Oman.
In 1990, he founded a private school for the children of Oman at his own expense and became its principal. What started as a kindergarten with five children grew into a comprehensive high school and a prestigious institution. In recognition of his achievements, he was selected as one of the "100 Most Respected Japanese People in the World" by Newsweek magazine in 2006. He retired as principal in 2011 and is now devoted to nurturing young people.
Having been married four times and divorced four times, she said, "I don't think I want to get married again." When asked by Tetsuko, "How do you feel looking back on your eventful life?" she replied, "So many things have happened, and there have been many times when I wanted to die. To be honest, there have been times when I put my medication down. But I think I've lived a happy life."
"I think I've been able to live this kind of life because I was born Japanese. (Japan) had good education, and I think that education gave me the strength to move forward no matter what. I would like to continue promoting Oman for the sake of both countries, and to cheer up the people of Japan," he said, expressing concern for his home country.
